Klaus Voorman is rumoured to replace Paul McCartney in the Beatles
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On May 19, 1971, Klaus Voorman met with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at Apple’s headquarters, prompting rumours of a Beatles reunion without Paul McCartney in the newspaper on the following day.
On March 26, Les Perrin, the official spokesman for John, George and Ringo, issued the following statement to deny:
Following a newspaper report which states ‘The Beatles Are Back’ and adding that the new Beatle was Klaus Voorman, I am instructed as press and public relations representative for John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, Apple Corps Ltd, Mr Allen Klein and ABKCO Industries Inc., to state that this story is completely incorrect. I am advised that a) The Beatles are not re-forming – and that, consequently, Klaus Voorman does not replace Paul McCartney: b) Messrs. Lennon, Harrison and Starr did not meet last Friday night (March 19) at the Apple HQ to discuss future recordings: c) John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr did not send Paul McCartney a cable announcing that the group was recording, detailing times to attend the recording studio. I wish to reiterate my earlier statement that an appeal was launched last Friday (March 19) by solicitors acting on behalf of John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr against a High Court decision in Paul McCartney’s favour, appointing a Receiver and manager to look after The Beatles’ affairs.
Statement by Les Perrin, spokesman for John, George and Ringo – From “The Beatles: Off The Record 2 – The Dream is Over: Dream Is Over Vol 2” by Keith Badman
Those rumors would continue throughout the year – Rumours about the Beatles searching for a new bass player reported – The Paul McCartney Project (pmc.local)
KLAUS VOORMAN, bass guitarist reported to be “replacing” Paul McCartney in the Beatles, left his Hampstead, London, home this week to escape callers. And with his wife Christine, Klaus, went to stay with George and Pattie Harrison at their Oxfordshire mansion.
While the publicity agent for John, George and Ringo emphatically denied that Klaus was joining them, Apple reported that Voorman had “gone to Germany.”
But an MM check of German airlines proved negative. And a woman at Klaus’ Hampstead home said: “He has gone to stay in the country to avoid all this fuss. He is at George Harrison’s house. I don’t know when he’ll come back.”
The report in the Daily Mirror on Saturday spoke of a meeting the night before at Apple involving Lennon, Harrison, Starr – and Klaus – to discuss recording plans. But publicist Leslie Perrin declared that no such meeting took place and that they did not – as reported – cable Paul with the news that they were to record again and detailing times to attend a session.
Mirror reporter Don Short wrote that when McCartney failed to the message the others called in Klaus.
In the past, several bassists have been named as possible “replacements” for Paul – but Klaus Voorman has a long history of association with the others both as a friend and as a musician.
He designed the sleeve for the “Revolver ” album; played on several Plastic Ono Band sessions; knew all the Beatles well from their early days in Germany and played on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” triple album.
He is one of the most I respected bass players in Britain and made his mark with Manfred Mann. Years ago, he was an early protege of Brian Epstein, who managed the group, Paddy, Klaus and Gibson.
The MM on December 26, 1970, reported that the Beatles were searching for a new bass player and Klaus Voorman was on a list of three musicians.
From Melody Maker – March 27, 1971
Last updated on August 2, 2023